Beckett examines the doctrine of the body of Christ as presented in 1 Corinthians 12:25-26, arguing that believers must cultivate mutual compassion and unity rather than discord within the congregation. Drawing on Philippians 2:1-3 and Galatians 5:15, she contends that members should esteem one another above themselves and extend forgiveness preemptively, warning that internal strife and slander among believers lead to spiritual destruction and dissolution of the church body. While earthly peace may fracture through sin and conflict, the author affirms that individual peace with God remains secure in Christ alone.
What does the Bible say about suffering in the body of Christ?
The Bible teaches that when one member suffers, all members suffer together, emphasizing unity and care within the church.
Moreover, life can be challenging, and the church is meant to be a sanctuary of comfort and healing. However, as fallen individuals, we often still fall into patterns of discord. Philippians 2:1-3 further instructs us to have the same love and be of one mind—urging us to act with humility and esteem others above ourselves. When we follow this biblical counsel, we cultivate an environment that values kindness and seeks to restore peace, despite our flaws. It is vital to recognize that true Christian community flourishes not in self-centeredness but in mutual support and love.
1 Corinthians 12:25-26, Philippians 2:1-3
Why is unity in the church important for Christians?
Unity in the church is crucial because it reflects the oneness of Christ and strengthens the body of believers.
Moreover, a disunited church experiences strife and division, which can lead to its downfall. Galatians 5:15 warns that if members engage in mutual conflict, they risk consuming one another. The church is intended to be a refuge of love and support, functioning as one body made up of many parts, each vital to its effectiveness. Therefore, fostering unity through love, forgiveness, and mutual esteem is paramount to fulfilling the mission God has given to His people.
Ephesians 4:3, Galatians 5:15
How does mutual support within the church manifest according to the Bible?
Mutual support in the church is expressed through compassion, love, and bearing one another's burdens.
Additionally, Philippians 2:1-3 encourages believers to be like-minded and to consider others as better than themselves, which directly facilitates an environment of support and humility. This mindset fosters a spirit of cooperation rather than competition, where members prioritize each other's needs. For instance, when someone is facing trials, the church should rally together to offer support, prayer, and resources, embodying Christ’s love and grace. The richness of community life within the church flourishes when we heed these biblical commands and act upon them.
1 Corinthians 12, Philippians 2:1-3
1Corinthians 12:25-26 “That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another. And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honored, all the members rejoice with it”
It should be a mark of a body of believers that even when one member suffers so do the rest of the members. There should be no schism in a body which is; a separation, an alienation causing divisions among Christians, who ought to be united.
Life is hard, that is why we call it a vale of tears. Perhaps you don’t understand that, perhaps life isn’t hard for you. When life is hard “in the congregation” it is even more of a vale of tears because that is where we should be able to have a greater measure of peace. But of course we are sinners so it often isn’t any different, but it should be.
I’m not speaking about strife in an ‘institution’, I’m speaking of the flesh and blood bought body of Christ, people who come together to worship the Lord. We are likened to a body, a body of hands and eyes and other parts that are all needed. One part is not more needed nor more important than another part, the whole body is to be knit together in love. Seems so simple doesn’t it? We have a book full of instructions as to how we are to treat one another, it’s called the Bible! I wonder how often we take those instructions to heart, each of us. I wonder if we really ponder the meaning of say; Phillipians 2:1-3
“If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, fulfill ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves”
Have you ever consoled someone in Christ the same way that you have been consoled, or comforted them in the same love? We are to have bowels of compassion and mercy for one another, we are to be ONE. If we esteem our brother BETTER than ourselves we will be willing to forgive or ask for forgiveness even when we know that we haven’t sinned against them. I was taught that by a very wise and compassionate man, the pastor I had for so many years and believe it with all my heart. I believe that if one of my brothers or sisters has an offence with me and I don’t see that I have sinned against them I STILL ask them to forgive me for the offence because for whatever reason I have offended them or hurt them. I am to do that because I do esteem them better than I am. Too often we want to justify everything in some sense or another and so we don’t esteem them, instead we have strife, discord, and disunity through out the body.
Strife only leads to the warning in Galatians 5:15 “But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another”.
Matthew Henry:
“Note, Mutual strifes among brethren, if persisted in, are likely to prove a common ruin; those that devour one another are in a fair way to be consumed one of another. “
John Gill:
“For wolves or dogs to worry sheep is not strange; but for sheep to distress one another is unnatural.”
John Calvin:
"By biting and devouring he means, I think, slanders, accusations, reproaches, and every other kind of offensive language, as well as acts of injustice arising either from fraud or violence. And what is the end of them? To be consumed, while the tendency of brotherly love is to produce mutual protection and kindness. I wish we could always remember, when the devil tempts us to disputes, that the disagreement of members within the church can lead to nothing else than the ruin and consumption of the whole body. How distressing, how mad is it, that we, who are members of the same body, should be leagued together, of our own accord, for mutual destruction! "
When the bond of love is loosened in a body and we are consumed of one another our ‘body’ peace is destroyed and we may well dissolve and be scattered. However, my peace with God can never be destroyed, it is safe in Christ for He alone will never leave me nor forsake me. Amen!
Comments
Your comment has been submitted and is awaiting moderation. Once approved, it will appear on this page.
Be the first to comment!